I recently asked a friend this question. He thought for a moment, then gave three answers. I'm listing them in the order he gave them: a case is fashionable and stylish, for appearance; so no one can see the phone model; and it's so you don't know what's going to get stolen.
I think the answers are quite logical. Indeed, many people buy a prettier case. Women, in particular, strive to have a bright and original case, for example, with a sticker of a favorite movie or cartoon character. Young women also want something noticeable for their cell phones. Only the stronger sex doesn't care. Besides, most men prefer to carry their phones without a case at all.
Gone are the days when cellular communications were just beginning to develop in Russia. A cell phone was considered a very cool thing back then. It was prestigious to own one. And, on occasion, to boast about its price. It was commonplace to compare the size and features of a cell phone among close friends. But all that is long gone. It's now somehow awkward to show off your cheap, basic phone to others if you only need to make calls. That's where a case comes in handy.
My friend's third answer doesn't need any comment at all. But I'll say a few words: cell phones are still being stolen. Often, it's just to make a large phone call on credit and then throw the device away (after all, the owner will have to pay for it in court with the mobile operator). Mostly, expensive phones are stolen. They can be resold. And if it's unclear what's in the case, the risk of losing the phone is greatly reduced.
Now think about what other answer my friend missed?
Any small electronic device needs a case to protect it from dust, moisture, mechanical damage, and static electricity that builds up on the body.
Dust is everywhere these days. Although a mobile phone is considered a fairly hermetically sealed device, when disassembling it, a repairman always notices microdust and first brushes it off. If high humidity indoors and outdoors adds to the dust, a permanent dark layer gradually forms. And dust can sometimes conduct electricity.
The situation is even worse if moisture gets into the case. Even a small drop of water can render the device inoperable. Static electricity, however, is always present in our world. Sometimes it leads to breakdowns in electronic devices.
Now, remember that a phone without a case, kept in a purse or pocket, can come into contact with metal objects, like keys to an apartment or car. As a result, the display gradually becomes cloudy. Sometimes, even serious scratches appear. If the phone is inexpensive, you can replace it with a new one. But scratches on an expensive device can be quite stressful.
Most cases have a plastic liner glued inside. This protects the device (though not 100%) if the case gets wet, like in the rain. Some cases also have a foam liner inside, which softens the impact if you accidentally drop your phone on the floor. By purchasing a case slightly larger than your phone, you can increase the foam liner—it's a useful precaution.
Another important feature of the case is that it prevents your phone from accidentally slipping out of your pocket by making it rough. Improving the anti-slip feature is very simple: stick a strip of Velcro in your pocket and then attach the same strip to the case. This creates a very secure fit.
